Folks tend to speak of populist folk-popsters Hootie & the Blowfish in surface terms. The first album, Cracked Rear View, they'll tell you, sold 15 million copies. Second disc, tsk, tsk--only a measly couple million--a real failure for this supposed supergroup. And now, for entry three, the pressure's on: Will Hootie reclaim the multi-platinum throne? But the lens is horribly out of focus here. The songs on Musical Chairs--rife with chiming Americana hooks, swimming in the rich, woodsy warble of one of modern rock's most definitive voices, Darius Rucker--are every bit as aesthetically sound, warm, and hometown charming as those that catapulted the band to fame. Who--outside of Atlantic Records bean counters--truly cares how much this one sells? From the opening feel-good affirmation "I Will Wait" through the punky pounder "Wishing" and the Calypso-flavored "Las Vegas Nights," to the gospel-jangled familial recollections "Home Again" and "One by One," this is one subtly beautiful effort, the kind that creeps up on you with each listening. The more you play it, in fact, the less you worry about how many of your peers have purchased it already. Put the calculator away. Enjoy great music the way it should be enjoyed--eyes shut and smiling. --Tom Lanham
Entertainment Weekly
[T]he Columbia, S.C., quartet add just a dash of spice to their predictable musical recipe.... If you don't dig 'em, don't bother.
Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs,Hootie & the Blowfish,Atlantic / Wea,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,American Trad Rock,Jam Bands,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop
Musical Chairs
Average customer rating:
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Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast)
Alain Boublil , Claude-Michel Schonberg , and Colm Wilkinson Manufacturer: Decca U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000084TRM Release Date: 2003-01-28 |
Tracks:
- Overture/Work Song
- I Dreamed a Dream
- Who Am I?
- Castle on a Cloud
- Master of the House
- Stars
- Do You Hear the People Sing?
- A Heart Full of Love
- One Day More
- On My Own
- A Little Fall of Rain
- Drink with Me
- Bring Him Home
- Javert's Suicide
- Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
- Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast
- Finale
Amazon.com
While not overly generous at 55 minutes, the highlights album of the 1987 original Broadway cast recording of Les Miserables is intelligently selected and likely to prove satisfying to most fans. It includes the best-loved numbers of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score, beautiful ballads ("Bring Him Home," "I Dreamed a Dream") and rousing anthems ("One Day More," "Do You Hear the People Sing?") alike, but eliminates some choral numbers ("Lovely Ladies"), redundancies ("Red and Black"), and connective tissue that propels the plot along ("Valjean Arrested," "Come to Me (Fantine's Death)"). Sure, a more perfect selection could have lasted longer than half of the two-disc set's 104 minutes by adding "At the End of the Day" and "In My Life," among others, but it's still a good representation on a convenient single disc. Of course, those who always want to re-create the theatrical experience will never be satisfied with a highlights album.Re-creating their roles from the London production, Colm Wilkinson plays the heroic Valjean and Frances Ruffelle is the despondent Eponine. Randy Graff (Fantine), Terrence Mann (Javert), David Bryant (Marius), Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Michael Maguire (Enjolras), and Leo Burmester and Jennifer Butt (the Thénardiers) fill out the cast. --David Horiuchi
Customer Reviews:
BEST OPERA MUSIC EVER.......2006-11-03
Time well spent........2005-09-14
Great Score, But Highlights Missing Critical Songs.......2005-08-05
While I normally enjoy "highlight" cds, this one clocks in at a mere 55 minutes and could have easily included a couple of additional tunes (thus losing one star). Most notably missing: "At The End Of The Day", "Come To Me", "Red And Black", and "In My Life". The show's most memorable songs, however, are included.
Best tracks:
I Dreamed A Dream
Master Of The House
Stars
Do You Hear The People Sing
On My Own
A Little Fall Of Rain
Bring Him Home
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables
Great cast, great score ... even a good buy. But I would suggest the full double-disc score instead.
Buy the full version, please.......2005-01-20
Argh Matey!.......2004-11-22
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Musical Chairs
Hootie & the Blowfish Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000ADKQ Release Date: 1998-09-15 |
Tracks:
- I Will Wait
- Wishing
- Las Vegas Nights
- Only Lonely
- Answer Man
- Michelle Post
- Bluesy Revolution
- Home Again
- One By One
- Desert Mountain Showdown
- What's Going On Here
- What Do You Want From Me Now
- Unknown
- Unknown
- Closet Full Of Fear
Amazon.com
Folks tend to speak of populist folk-popsters Hootie & the Blowfish in surface terms. The first album, Cracked Rear View, they'll tell you, sold 15 million copies. Second disc, tsk, tsk--only a measly couple million--a real failure for this supposed supergroup. And now, for entry three, the pressure's on: Will Hootie reclaim the multi-platinum throne? But the lens is horribly out of focus here. The songs on Musical Chairs--rife with chiming Americana hooks, swimming in the rich, woodsy warble of one of modern rock's most definitive voices, Darius Rucker--are every bit as aesthetically sound, warm, and hometown charming as those that catapulted the band to fame. Who--outside of Atlantic Records bean counters--truly cares how much this one sells? From the opening feel-good affirmation "I Will Wait" through the punky pounder "Wishing" and the Calypso-flavored "Las Vegas Nights," to the gospel-jangled familial recollections "Home Again" and "One by One," this is one subtly beautiful effort, the kind that creeps up on you with each listening. The more you play it, in fact, the less you worry about how many of your peers have purchased it already. Put the calculator away. Enjoy great music the way it should be enjoyed--eyes shut and smiling. --Tom LanhamCustomer Reviews:
Only Lonely....the best song on the CD.......2007-03-11
Their best album.......2007-01-28
I thought Cracked Rear View was overrated. Fairweather was too hit and miss. This was a perfect album front to back.
Their latest, Looking For Lucky is a close CLOSE second. But this one is the one I will always cherrish.
My favorite Hootie album!.......2006-04-28
Musical Chairs BEST.......2006-02-11
Even Better than Cracked Rearview!!.......2005-10-15
Of course, aside of Counting Crows, the best U.S. bands ever!
Average customer rating:
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Greatest Songs from the Musicals
Various Artists Manufacturer: Soho ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000077JS0 Release Date: 2002-10-21 |
Tracks:
- Aquarius [From Hair] - Steve Brooker, NSO Ensemble, , Caroline O'Connor
- If I Can't Love Her [From Beauty and the Beast] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- I Could Have Danced All Night [From My Fair Lady] - Katrina Murphy, National Symphony Orchestra
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight? [From The Lion King] - John Barrowman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- What I Did for Love [from a Chorus Line] - National Symphony Orchestra, Catherine Porter, Martin Yates
- This Is the Moment [From Jekyll and Hyde] - Gary Mauer, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- All That Jazz [From Chicago] - Paulette Ivory, Julian Kelly, Katrina Murphy, National Symphony Orchestra, Sally Ann Triplett
- Impossible Dream [From Man of La Mancha] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- America [From West Side Story] - National Symphony Orchestra
- Written in the Stars [From Aida] - Simon Bowman, NSO Ensemble, Sally Ann Triplett, Martin Yates
- Mame [From Mame] - Jerry Lanning, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- Some Enchanted Evening [From South Pacific] - Thomas Allen, John Owen Edwards, Philharmonic Orchestra
- I Am What I Am [From LA Cage aux Follies] - Janet Glazener, Leslie Uggams
- One Song Glory [From Rent] - Sean McDermott, Martin Yates
Tracks:
- Phantom of the Opera [From The Phantom of the Opera] - Ethan Freeman, Claire Moore, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- I Dreamed a Dream [From Les Miserables] - National Symphony Orchestra, Jacqui Scott, Martin Yates
- Bui Doi [From Miss Saigon] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- As Long as He Needs Me [From Oliver!] - National Symphony Orchestra,
- Time Warp [From the Rocky Horror Picture Show] - Anita Dobson, NSO Ensemble, Martin Yates,
- Memory [From Cats] - Kim Criswell, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- Why God Why [From Miss Saigon] - Graham Bickley, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- I Know Him So Well [From Chess] - Katrina Murphy, NSO Ensemble, Sally Ann Triplett, Martin Yates
- One Day More [From Les Miserables] - National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- Peggy Sue [From Buddy Holly Story] - Dominic Curtis
- Empty Charis at Empty Tables [From Les Miserables] - Graham Bickley, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- Dancing Queen [From Mamma Mia!] - Julian Kelly, NSO Ensemble, , Caroline O'Connor
- All I Ask of You [From The Phantom of the Opera] - Andrew Halliday, , National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- We Will Rock You [From We Will Rock You] - Martin Yates
Tracks:
- It's a Grand Night for Singing [From State Fair] - National Symphony Orchestra
- If I Were a Rich Man [From Fiddler on the Roof] - Jerry Lanning, National Symphony Orchestra
- I Talk to the Trees [From Paint Your Wagon] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- Over the Rainbow [From The Wizard of Oz] - Gillian Bevan, , John Owen Edwards, , Royal Shakespeare Company
- Bless Yore Beautiful Hide [From Seven Brides for Seven Brothers] - Hal Fowler, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- Grease [From Grease] - John Barrowman, NSO Ensemble, Martin Yates
- Woman in Love [From Guys and Dolls] - Gregg Edelman, , Emily Loesser, National Symphony Orchestra
- Secret Love [From Calamity Jane] - Debbie Gravitte, National Symphony Orchestra
- Quintet [From West Side Story] - National Symphony Orchestra
- I Will Always Love You [From the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas] - Salena Jones, John Pearce
- Money, Money [From "Caberet"] - Maria Friedman, National Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Pryce
- If My Friends Could See Me Now (Sweet Charity) - Jacqueline Dankworth, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- Thank Heaven for Little Girls [From Gigi] - Ron Moody, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
- Singin' in the Rain [From Singin' in the Rain] - Craig Barna, National Symphony Orchestra, Paul Robinson
Customer Reviews:
You'll be disappointed.......2006-09-02
Pretty good musical mix.......2006-03-10
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Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites
Manufacturer: Castle Pulse ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0009SOFXG Release Date: 2005-08-01 |
Tracks:
- Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
- Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
- Dies Irae
- Men of Harlech
- You'll Never Walk Alone
- Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
- Old Folks at Home
- Il Liza Jane
- Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
- Vergine Degli Angeli
- Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
- My Hero
- God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
- German Mass/Gloria
- German Mass/Sanctus
- Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
- All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
- Arwelfa
- Invictus
- Softly as I Leave You
Tracks:
- Diolch l'R L
- Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
- Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
- Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
- Memories of Martha
- I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
- Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
- Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
- Creation's Hymn
- In the Spirit!
- Shall We Gather at the River
- Nos a Bore
- Very Best Time of Year
- Soon Ah Will Be Done
- Thanks Be to God
- Flower That Shattered the Stone
- Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
- Where Shall I Be?
- Bywyd y Bugail
- Lord's Prayer
Tracks:
- Ave Maria
- Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
- She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
- Cymru Fach
- Nidaros
- Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
- Watching the Wheat
- Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
- Misbles/Stars
- Rachie
- Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
- There Is a Balm in Gilead
- Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
- My Lord, What a Mornin'
- Bryn Myrddin
- Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
- Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
- Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
- Ride the Chariot
- Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir
Tracks:
- Y Nefoedd
- Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
- Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
- By Babylon's Wave
- I'm Gonna Sing
- Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
- Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
- Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
- Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
- That's All I Want from You
- Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
- Give Me Jesus
- Just a Closer Walk with Thee
- My Wish for You
- Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
- Mose in Egitto/Prayer
- Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
- God's Choir in the Sky
- Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
- Smilin' Through
Tracks:
- Calon Lan
- True Love
- Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
- Aberystwyth
- Comrades in Arms
- Cats/Memory
- They Led My Lord Away
- State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
- When I Fall in Love
- Let's Face the Music and Dance
- Windmills of Your Mind
- How Soon
- Non Nobis Domine
- Rhythm of Life
- Kalinka
- Sound an Alarm
- Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
- Turandot/Nessun Dorma
- Christus Redemptor
- Ann Evening's Pastorale
Album Details
Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.
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Musical Chairs
Sammy Hagar Manufacturer: Bgo - Beat Goes on ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000011NA Release Date: 1994-05-30 |
Tracks:
- Turn Up The Music
- It's Gonna Be All Right
- You Make Me Crazy
- Reckless
- Try (Try To Fall In Love)
- Don't Stop Me Now
- Straight From The Hip Kid
- Hey Boys
- Someone Out There
- Crack In The World
Customer Reviews:
Great 70s Hagar.......2007-06-28
Vintage Hagar.......2007-04-15
Musical Chairs-Another good effort from Sammy........2006-06-16
(****1/2)Almost Perfect
(****)Excellent
(***1/2)Very Good
(***)Good
(**1/2)Average
(**)Mediocre
(*1/2)Bad
(*)Terrible
(1/2)Almost Worthless
(DUD)Worthless
1. Turn Up The Music -3:34- Good song to start. (***)
2. It's Gonna Be All Right -4:06- Very Good, and also a bit underrated. (***1/2)
3. You Make Me Crazy -2:45- Too short, because it was getting really good. (***1/4)
4. Reckless -3:33- Very fast paced song. (***1/4)
5. Try -3:09- Bad song, but at least it's short. (*1/2)
6. Don't Stop Me Now -3:13- Nothing special here, but still okay. (**3/4)
7. Straight From The Hip Kid -3:07- Okay for how short it was. (**1/4)
8. Hey Boys -2:49- Very mediocre and close to being bad. (**)
9. Someone Out There -3:01- Once again, a really short song. (**)
10. Crack In The World -5:10- Long and average. (**1/2)
OVERALL= -34:30- 4 good songs in the beginning are enough to make this one a thumbs up. (***)
Classic Hagar '70s shot.......2000-03-23
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Love Changes Everything
Manufacturer: Dptv Media ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0002IQGPS Release Date: 2004-08-24 |
Tracks:
- This Is the Moment [From Jekyll & Hyde]
- Being Alive [From Company]
- Bui-Doi [From Miss Saigon]
- Why God Why? [From Miss Saigon]
- Last Night of the World [From Miss Saigon] - Joanna Ampil, , Stig Rossen
- Gethsemane [From Jesus Christ Superstar]
- Pity the Child [From Chess]
- Love Changes Everything [From Aspects of Love]
- Light at the End of the Tunnel [From Starlight Express]
- Empty Chairs at Empty Tables [From Les Misbles]
- Stars [From Les Misbles]
- Music of the Night [From The Phantom of the Opera]
- All I Ask of You [From The Phantom of the Opera]
- Somewhere [From West Side Story]
- Send in the Clowns [From A Little Night Music]
Customer Reviews:
excellent CD.......2007-07-03
P.S. Don't know why the Amazon description says "by Kalle Magnusson", don't be confused...Stig Rossen sings all of the songs.
It doesn't get better than this!.......2007-03-17
STIG ROSEN...Simply........Outstanding.......2007-02-15
Doesn't get any better then this!.......2006-07-06
Every song on this album is terrific, but his rendition of Gesthemene is really outstanding, better than most others I've heard.
This is great!.......2005-04-01
Average customer rating:
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Serious Fun!
Manufacturer: Albany Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0009OPMTQ Release Date: 2005-06-01 |
Tracks:
- Come on Algernon
- Maternity
- Usherette's Blues
- Musical Chairs
- Pretty Plain
- Someone is Sending Me Flowers
- Christian Dior
- Summer is A-Comin' In
- Madeira, M'Dear
- Ill Wind
- A Word on My Ear
- A Farmer's Boy
- I'm Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica
- The Masochism Tango
- The twelve Days After Christmas
- The Green-Eyed Dragon
- Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise
- The Shape of Things
- I Never Do Anything Twice
- Tamara, Queen of the Nile
Product Description
Jeremy Nicholas writes: Phrases that chill the heart: I want a volunteer from the audience. Is this your car, sir? Have we shown you our holiday snaps? Or how about Tonights lecture is on the art of writing comedy. Go to that seminar and one thing you know for sure in advance is that you are consigning yourself to an evening devoid of any humor. Dissecting comedy, analyzing jokes or, in this case, comic songs, has all the allure of pulling off the wings of a butterfly to see how it flies. Setting off writing a comic song is rather like being your own crossword compiler, designing the grid, filling in all the squares, setting your own clues. No, its not, really. Its more like taking a pile of kids building bricks and making a spectacular skyscraper from them. No, thats not it either. But there are elements of both that are pertinent (a good word for seminars). In other words, comedy (and comic songwriting) is hard work. Think of the last time you told a joke and it didnt come off. The material was right but maybe the delivery was off. But remember the joy when the response was perfect: not only did they laugh, but you sensed the anticipation: this is going to be funny. And for this album, the anticipation certainly pays off. Anyone who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s will recall the wonderful humor of the works of Tom Lehrer, the classic HMV (Angel in this country) LPs of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann. More recently weve seen how Stephen Sondheim and William Bolcom can easily move back and forth between the serious and the humorous. And just to prove that comedy can be serious business, we have the participation of Marc-Andre Hamelin, one of the most highly regarded concert and recital pianists as accompanist and composer, joined by his wife Jody Karin Applebaum. Her resume includes performances of Bachs Christmas Oratorio and St. Matthew Passion, Handels Messiah, to contemporary works by Stephen Albert, Heitor Villa-Lobos and Gorecki. Together they have performed in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Canada, England and the Middle East. Together they have recorded music of Britten, Schoenberg, Bolcom, Wolpe, Weill, Satie and Poulenc. Here both they and you have some fun for a change!Customer Reviews:
A Trancendental Sense of Humor!!!!!!.......2005-07-14
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Les Miserables - The Complete Symphonic Recording
Claude-Michel Schonberg Manufacturer: Relativity ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003BVK Release Date: 1990-05-22 |
Tracks:
- Prologue
- Valjean's Soliloquy (What Have I Done?)
- At The End Of The Day
- I Dreamed A Dream
- Lovely Ladies
- Fantine's Arrest
- The Runaway Cart
- Who Am I?-The Trial
- Fantine's Death
- The Confrontation
- Castle On A Cloud
- Master Of The House
Tracks:
- The Bargain-The Waltz Of Treachery
- Look Down
- The Robbery-Javert's Intervention (Another Brawl)
- Stars
- Eponine's Errand
- The ABC Cafe-Red And Black
- Do You Hear The People Sing?
- Rue Plumet-In My LIfe
- A Heart Full Of Love
- The Attack On Rue Plumet
- One Day More!
- At The Barricade (Upon These Stones)
- On My Own
- Building The Barricade
- Javert's Arrival
- Little People
- A Little Fall Of Rain
- Night Of Anguish
- First Attack
Tracks:
- Drink With Me
- Bring Him Home
- Dawn Of Anguish
- The Second Attack (Death Of Gavroche)
- The Final Battle
- The Sewers-Dog Eats Dog
- Javert's Suicide
- Turning
- Empty Chairs At Empty Tables
- Every Day (Marius And Cosette)
- Valjean's Confession
- The Wedding Chorale- Beggars At The Feast
- Epilogue (Finale)
- Bonus Track
Customer Reviews:
Great, definitely go with this and TAC.......2005-08-31
If you're the average musical-theater listener who can't afford to buy all available English-language recordings, however, my advice would be to get the CSR (due to the fact that it's "complete") and the TAC recording (due to the fact that performer- and performance-wise, it's leaps and bounds better than all of the other recordings). You deserve no less.
Awesome.......2005-07-03
Bought it used - thank God!.......2005-06-17
However, if you're a serious Les Mis fan, you should buy this CD (in addition), simply because it does have the complete score. (The trouble with THAT is that it includes practically the only misstep in the whole script - if Jean Valjean has his number branded on his chest, then how is it credible that someone else will be convicted in his place?) I bought it for that reason and to hear other interpretations of the roles (in particular Andy Warlow's). I have all 4 versions, and they have all have their pluses and minuses, but frankly, I'm glad I didn't pay full price for this one. This version has a rather weak cast in general, but that does add to the fun arguing about it. On the plus side, it has Philip Quast ( THE BEST Javert, but he's even better on the TAC), Michael Ball (THE BEST Marius, also on the OLC and TAC versions), and Andy Warlow (a stirring Enjorlas for sure, but not THAT much better than Michael Maguire on the OBC and TAC). The scenes at the barricade are the best part of the CD. Kaho Shimada is an uneven Eponine, OK sometimes, less so at others. Debbie Byrne (Fantine) is OK, but I don't find her as moving as Patty LuPone (OLC) or Ruthie Henshaw (TAC). Tracy Shayne (Cosette) is irratating, not nearly as sweet as Judy Kuhn (OLB and TAC) or even Rebecca Caine (OLC). I find Barry James and especially Gay Soper (M. and Mme. Thenardier) grating as well.
I really miss Colm Wilkinson (OLC, OBC and TAC). OK, he has a unique singing style, but such heart. Not always perfect, but so powerful and emotional. All his solos and "Confrontation" just stop me dead in my tracks. The sweetness and purity of his "Bring Him Home" and "Epilogue" move me to tears. But really, there must be someone else who can do at least an adequate job or the show wouldn't have run so long in so many venues. I am willing to listen to another interpretation, but not this one. This is the central role in the play, it really can't survive without a good performance here. Gary Morris is horrible as Jean Valjean, cringe-provoking at times, merely weak at others. He's totally overmatched by Quast in "Confrontation" and by everyone in "One Day More" and "Epilogue". I haven't tried the recommendation of one reviewer of listening while squinting and shaking my head hard, but I don't see how that will help. Morris's "What have I done?", "Bring Him Home" and "Valjean's Confession" make me cover my ears or send me running for the fast forward button, although "Who am I?" isn't so bad. (I just tried the head shaking trick, it didn't help.)
magnificent!.......2005-06-15
As this is the only recording I've heard fully, I cannot give any comparisons between the performers here and those on other versions, but I do wish to give my general impression of the cast.
*Gary Morris (Valjean) - he has a strong, clear voice with which it is hard to find fault. He sings with emotion and passion, and I cannot imagine ever tiring of hearing him as Jean Valjean. If I had to give a complaint, it would be that I could imagine a voice with a little more distinct character...something a little riskier for the part of someone so complex.
*Philip Quast (Javert) - wow, I love deep voices, and his is so rich! I love when he hits the low note near the beginning of "Confrontation" ...I've seriously replayed that part over and over again just because it sends shivers through me...haha, I think you get the idea. This guy is good.
*Debbie Byrne (Fantine) - her voice took some getting used to because at first it seemed to me a little uncontrolled, almost like she could capture the fullness of the sound but not quite hit the notes. However, the more I listen to her, the more I enjoy her. Her voice has a wonderful texture, something you totally miss when listening to the super-clear, trilling sopranos that seem to be found all over most other musicals.
*Kaho Shimada (Eponine) - her voice took a little getting used to as well. I was a little confused until I realized she was Japanese, for though I wouldn't say you hear an accent, her voice does have a very different quality to it. Still, I enjoyed her performance very much. Her voice is trembling with emotion the entire time, almost like she can hardly control it...it is quite moving.
*Tracy Shayne (Cosette) - wow. I'm sorry, is Cosette supposed to be this shrill? Turn it off! While I'm impressed at some of the notes she hits, I don't think it's supposed to make you want to cover your ears.
*Michael Ball (Marius) -Ball makes Marius, a rather annoying character if you ask me, into someone actually likable, if not lovable. He's passionate and romantic, but not vapid. Probably my favorite vocal performance.
*Gay Soper and Barry James (the Thernardiers) - their voices are rather grating, but that's the point, right? Very entertaining performances...particularly in "Master of the House" (which, it's true, somehow manages to be stuck in your head all day).
*Anthony Warlow (Enjorolas) - very appropriate voice...manly and vibrant. If he doesn't make you want to go out and fight, then there's no help for you!
Overall, the performances were wonderful. I highly recommend this CD. A great recording of a great musical!
Mixed Feelings.......2005-04-20
For me, it's truly a toss-up as to whether this is a recording worth purchasing. The main benefit-a far from insignificant one-is that it is a complete recording full of much more materiel than can be found on the London or Broadway cast recordings. Basically, I was far from satisfied. The liner notes are error ridden, and the casting was not as good as possible. Gary Morris struck me as too young for the part, and Gay Soper (Mme. Thenardier) has a voice akin to the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard. But, in the absence of a complete Broadway recording, this still may be the best version available to buy. Be sure, however, to supplement it with another version. (The Tenth Anniversary recording might be the best.)
Average customer rating: |
Musical Chairs (1980 Original Cast Members)
Manufacturer: Original Cast Record ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000004CSV Release Date: 2003-06-17 |
Tracks:
- Act I: Tonight's The Night
- Act I: My Time
- Act I: Who's Who
- Act I: If I Could Be Beautiful
- Act I: What I Could Have Done Tonight
- Act I: There You Are
- Act I: Sally
- Act I: Other People
- Act I: Hit The Ladies
- Act II: Musical Chairs
- Act II: Suddenly, Love
- Act II: Better Than Broadway
- Act II: Every Time The Music Starts
- Act II: My Time (Reprise)
- Act II: Finale
Average customer rating:
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Musical Chairs
Sammy Hagar Manufacturer: One Way Records Inc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002R2C Release Date: 1997-03-18 |
Tracks:
- Turn Up The Music
- It's Gonna Be All Right
- You Make Me Crazy
- Reckless
- Try
- Don't Stop Me Now
- Straight From The Hip Kid
- Hey Boys
- Someone Out There
- Crack In The World
- (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
Customer Reviews:
Great 70s Hagar.......2007-06-28
Vintage Hagar.......2007-04-15
Musical Chairs-Another good effort from Sammy........2006-06-16
(****1/2)Almost Perfect
(****)Excellent
(***1/2)Very Good
(***)Good
(**1/2)Average
(**)Mediocre
(*1/2)Bad
(*)Terrible
(1/2)Almost Worthless
(DUD)Worthless
1. Turn Up The Music -3:34- Good song to start. (***)
2. It's Gonna Be All Right -4:06- Very Good, and also a bit underrated. (***1/2)
3. You Make Me Crazy -2:45- Too short, because it was getting really good. (***1/4)
4. Reckless -3:33- Very fast paced song. (***1/4)
5. Try -3:09- Bad song, but at least it's short. (*1/2)
6. Don't Stop Me Now -3:13- Nothing special here, but still okay. (**3/4)
7. Straight From The Hip Kid -3:07- Okay for how short it was. (**1/4)
8. Hey Boys -2:49- Very mediocre and close to being bad. (**)
9. Someone Out There -3:01- Once again, a really short song. (**)
10. Crack In The World -5:10- Long and average. (**1/2)
OVERALL= -34:30- 4 good songs in the beginning are enough to make this one a thumbs up. (***)
Classic Hagar '70s shot.......2000-03-23
Rap Music:
- Now, Vol. 56 [Import]
- Odds and Sods: Mis-Takes and Out-Takes [Original recording remastered] [Import]
- On & on [Extra tracks] [Import]
- On the Outside [Import]
- Outside Inside
- Overdose of Heavy Psych
- Passion
- Red Alert [Explicit Lyrics]
- Remember the Future [Original recording remastered] [Import]
- Remembrance Days/A Different Kind of Weather
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Double Fantasy [Extra tracks] [Original recording remastered]